Driver allegedly fled crash scene

Police have located a suspended driver who allegedly fled a
crash that killed a 71-year-old woman in Hamilton today.

The elderly woman was a rear passenger in a car that collided
with a ute at the intersection of Te Rapa Rd and Avalon Dr
about 12.35pm.

The woman died at the scene and four of her family members
were taken to Waikato Hospital, Police Sergeant Phil Ruddell
said.

One of them, a child, was believed to have suffered moderate
injuries.

The ute allegedly fled the accident but was followed by a
member of the public who called police.

"It was recovered by police at a Pukete address a short time
later thanks to the assistance of that member of the public,"
Inspector Marcus Lynam said.

A 26-year-old woman, a suspended driver, had been located by
police. She and the driver of the other car would be
interviewed when all had received medical treatment, he said.

Mr Lynam said it was too early to determine if either driver
was at fault and whether any charges would be laid over the
crash, which happened at an intersection controlled by
lights.

The dead woman became the first fatality of the official
Christmas period.

It was not known if the family was from Hamilton.

"Condolences go out to the families of the people involved in
this crash and also all of those witnesses who saw the crash,
and my emergency services colleagues who've had to deal with
such a thing on Christmas Day," Mr Ruddell said.